Foden backs Guardiola's successor as City enter new era

Phil Foden has only ever played under Pep Guardiola during his Manchester City career, but he has admitted he is thoroughly enjoying working with Enzo Maresca and the tweaks the new head coach has made to the setup he inherited at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca has huge shoes to fill following the end of Guardiola's decade-long reign, which yielded an extraordinary 20 trophies for the club. Guardiola is the only manager Foden has played under throughout his entire club career, having been handed his senior debut by the former Barcelona boss back in 2017.

Only Bernardo Silva (460), Kevin De Bruyne (381) and Ederson (372) have played more games under Guardiola than Foden, whose 369 appearances under the Catalan are over 150 more than Lionel Messi managed under him at Barcelona (204).

Foden registered 21 goal involvements (13 goals, eight assists) in all competitions in 2025-26 — an improvement on his return the previous season (15) but still short of the levels he reached in his previous four campaigns. As the creative playmaker eyes a stronger 2026-27, he believes the Italian's fresh ideas could prove beneficial for City.

"I found it good, to be honest. All I've known is Pep Guardiola, so it's a fresh start. I'm enjoying the new coaching staff, the way we're playing and the things we're doing in training. I'm just really excited for the season, and hopefully we can have a good year."

'The defending is a little bit different'

While reluctant to reveal too much tactical detail, Foden hinted at subtle shifts in approach under the former Chelsea and Leicester boss.

"I don't want to give too much away about how we'll play, but maybe the defending is a little bit different, with how we set up. We have different ideas about how to play out from the back, a different variety of things on the ball, but I think the lads are very comfortable because we want to play football from the back and try and create, so I think it suits everyone really well."

Foden, who signed a new four-year contract with City last month, was asked whether he had sought assurances from Maresca about his role in the team.

"We've not really had those discussions yet," he said. "I think what he wants from me, though, is to try and be an example to the young lads around at the moment — to train really well, keep my head down and work hard."

Excited by Elliot Anderson's arrival

Foden played 70 minutes as City drew 1-1 with Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly last Saturday before bowing out on penalties. Their Asian tour continues on Wednesday against a K-League All-Star XI, though Elliot Anderson — City's record-£116m signing from Nottingham Forest — is yet to feature.

Anderson arrives off the back of helping England finish third at the World Cup, a tournament from which Foden was omitted by national boss Thomas Tuchel. Despite the personal disappointment, Foden is relishing the chance to link up with his international teammate at club level.

"I'm really excited to have him at the club. When I've watched him previously or played against him, he's a player that likes to find the number 10 and fire balls through and fire through the lines. I think that suits me really well. I'm excited to play with him."